San Bruno B.A.R.T.

  The makeover of an unattractive a BART parking garage in Dublin is under way, with a new opening date scheduled for late May.

  Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty criticized the look of the more than 1,500-space garage on the Dublin side of the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station because it looked unfinished and ugly.

  The Alameda County Surplus Authority, the agency that oversees the use of excess county-owned land, developed the garage according to BART's minimum specifications, which did not call for paint or concrete coloring. Most BART parking garages are not painted because the upkeep is costly.

  But when the authority looked at the nearly finished product in March, it agreed that more work could be done.

  With the blessing of BART and the city of Dublin, the authority selected a contractor about two weeks ago to put the finishing touches on the garage, said Pat Cashman, director of the Surplus Authority.

  White primer is being applied now, but the final color will be a shade of beige. The painting is expected to cost about $500,000, Cashman said. He added that the price tag covers costs such as extra security.

  The makeover money is coming from the project's unspent funds. No BART money has been used.

  The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the garage is slated for May 23 and will be open for public use the following day. The parking fee of $1 will be the same in the garage as in the lots, said Luna Salaver, BART spokeswoman.